April 8, 2012

Ambassador
Francis Ricciardone, his wife Dr. Marie Ricciardone, Turkish alumni who
have participated in U.S. Embassy-sponsored exchange programs, U.S.
Embassy staff and their families, and city officials planted trees to
celebrate Earth Day in Ankara's Kazan district over the weekend.
Ricciardone joined Kazan District Governor Veysel Beyru, Mayor Lokman
Ertürk, and Forestry Director General Mustafa Kurtulmuşlu
as well as Turkish and American children and other guests at the
planting ceremony in Kazan. The Kazan Municipality designated a piece
of land and Directorate General of Forestry supplied some 3,500 saplings
of different species for the formation of the ‘American Friendship
Forest’ in the rapidly developing district.

Ricciardone
told the attendees the U.S. Embassy is the first diplomatic mission in
Ankara to plant saplings in Kazan. “Today, Americans and Turks have
served as an example in creating natural green spaces. I hope that in
10 years we will be able to come together for a picnic in this forest,”
he said.

“In
the words of President Obama, we have come to renew the friendship
between Turkey and the United States. The environment is one of the
most important things we have. To protect the environment is important
not only for today but for future generations. As Atatürk said, when we
protect nature, nature also protects us,” said Ricciardone.